So, looks like a 2014 fic won the poll on my Instagram...
I hope you enjoy this one and kind of think of the first two chapters as a prologue...
The story will really start to kick off around chapter 3...
Hope you enjoy and I'm always open to constructive criticism...I'll try and get chapter 2 out as soon as I finish it...
Set on 31st March 2014…
"I'm pregnant…I've been trying to tell you all day…it's tested and confirmed Mr Barlow you got me well and truly up the duff how mad is that?!
To say that Peter Barlow was shocked was an understatement, so far an understatement he couldn't even hear his heart pounding in his chest as well as his head for that matter. He didn't know whether his heart was pounding because of the nerves and excitement of being a dad again or the fact that he was having it off with the local barmaid and this just added to the pressure which he would have to fulfil.
"When did you find out?"
"About three weeks ago"
"Why didn't you tell me?"
"Because..because I knew when I did we'd have to do this then it'd be real and…I should've... I should've told you straight away I'm sorry"
"No, I'm sorry"
It was true, he was sorry. He loved Carla and he didn't want to hurt her but he felt so damaged at the same time like something was wrong with his head and he had to stray as a result. He didn't love Tina, he was flattered, that's what it was; a young, beautiful girl who had her whole life ahead of her and she chose him but he didn't love her and in all honesty, he felt so conflicted keeping up the what he called 'perfect husband' role as well as Tina being there as a diversion from that.
"What do you have to be sorry for?"
They were both interrupted the ring of his mobile...
"Answer it"
It just continued to ring...
"Give it 'ere"
She took the phone frowning at Tina's name and she answered it the shouting coming through the other end of the phone causing Peter's heart to race so fast he thought he might pass out.
"Peter I mean it…this better not be some sick joke and you better come…I need you…I miss you"
Carla broke down in tears shaking her head in response; there was no way this was happening to her again, no way. It felt like her heart had been ripped out and trampled overall in one, she also dropped the phone on the floor which sparked attention from the other side as Tina stormed around to their flat and banged on the door.
"Peter! Are you in there? Are you ok?"
But both Carla and Peter just stared at each other as tears streamed down both of their faces; both heartbroken for many reasons but there was one thing they shared mutual understanding for and that was that they had now lost the love they had tried so hard to fight in the first place.
"Tina! How lovely for you to join us!"
"Is everything ok?"
"Absolutely fine" Carla nods, her voice dripping with sarcasm "Isn't it Peter?"
Tina noticed the tears which had stained Carla's face as well as Peter's and all she wanted to do was comfort him but Carla stormed into their bedroom and bolted the door with the armchair in the corner giving her time to breath knowing the lies which were going to be spouted and she broke down into uncontrollable heaving sobs before grabbing the suitcase from the top of the wardrobe and chucking all of her stuff into it not even caring if it was creased or not she just needed to get out of this place. Her eyes fell to the bed and wondered if they had made love in the place where she slept and that in itself made bile rise from her stomach to her throat but she pushed it down and grabbed the suitcase and stormed out of the flat leaving Peter to pick up the mess he made…
"Carla?" Michelle questions as she appears with her handbag having put her suitcases in her car, tears streaming down her face as Michelle walks over to her putting an arm around her shoulders wanting to comfort her the best she could as well as trying to prevent her from grabbing the nearest bottle of merlot but it was too late it was already in her hands as she stormed into the back room.
"You can't drink that Carla" Michelle sighs placing a hand on the bottle as Carla picks it up and chucks it against the wall before breaking down again leaving Michelle to comfort her as she sobs into her chest as Carla forces her eyes open and seeing Tina stood there; the anger heightened.
"Get away from me you bitch!" Carla screams as Michelle holds her back as well as trying to keep up with the conversation "You were meant to be my friend!"
"We love each other!" Tina snaps providing a glare as Carla's struggle weakens before bursting into hysterical laughter; a twenty-something-year-old girl giving her the third degree on love.
"Oh and that makes it ok does it?" Carla questions incredulously "So tell me, Tina, did Peter make you feel special? Did he tell you he'd leave me for you? Did he tell you he wanted to be with you over me?"
"Yes! He meant every word!"
"Well more a fool you for believing him, you screw my husband then you come here only for me to find out how much of a slag and naïve you've been" Carla nods, sarcasm dripping from her voice as she does so.
"I think you need to leave" Michelle states as the anger builds in her body, as a result, Tina refusing to leave "Leave! And never come back!"
And with that, she went…
"Why does this always happen 'Chelle" Carla cries as Michelle holds her close humming gently to her allowing her to soothe her sadness and anger.
"Oh babe, I'm so sorry" Michelle sighs in response running a hand through Carla's hair as she buries her face in Michelle's chest her heartbeat lulling her into calmer serenities.
"I loved him so much then he does this to me, he must've really hated me" Carla cries as Michelle hushes her gently as there was a knock on the door, Peter stepping into the room.
"Get out!" Michelle shouts as Carla looks up at him with tears in her green eyes; the green eyes which still meant so much to Peter and made him wish he didn't provide her with that pain.
"Carla please" Peter begs as Carla shakes her head gently in utter annoyance with the situation "Please hear me out"
"What? So you can make it up to me?"
"Yes…no…whatever you want. Please think of the baby this stress isn't good for it" Peter pleads as Carla chuckles sarcastically; he had no right to even care about her or their unborn child now, for all she felt was that he deserved to perish.
"You lost all right to care about this baby when you shagged that skanky barmaid. What was it? Was I not good enough for you? Did you not care when you were sleeping with her? Did you do it in our bed?" Carla questioned repetitively before realising this whole thing was pointless; why would he tell the truth when he lied to her face before?
"You know what, don't bother" Carla states "I'm going"
"Carla-wait! You're in no fit state" Michelle sighs pushing past Peter and following Carla towards Underworld but it was too late and she sped off down the street leaving Michelle to deal with the aftermath "Are you happy now!" she snaps as Peter breaks down and falls to his knees "You're pathetic, I don't even know what she saw in you I really don't"
"Michelle!" Rob calls as Michelle stops briefly before sighing in response; the look on her face said it all to Rob "What's he done?"
"Had an affair" Michelle states before offering a glare to Peter who was still in tears on the floor outside of Underworld seeing the anger flicker in Rob's eyes as he storms off to Peter and lays into him "Leave him, Rob! He's not worth it"
"You hurt my sister, I'll hurt you so badly she will never be able to forgive you!" Rob shouts as Michelle groans in response heading over to pull Rob away before the affair became public knowledge but Michelle glanced around seeing Norris standing there with his mouth agape; it was too late.
"Rob leave it" Michelle shouts pulling him off Peter "We have much bigger problems on our hands"
"I don't know what she saw in you" Rob spits before heading back to the pub with Michelle "What do you mean by bigger problems?"
"Just…let's go through to the back" Michelle sighs as they head through to the back room both of them not really sure how to start the conversation as Michelle grabs a kitchen cloth to clear up the wine Carla chucked at the wall in a rage.
"When did it happen?"
"I don't know, she came straight here when she found out" Michelle sighs as Rob takes a seat on the sofa, Michelle sitting next to him "You have to promise me not to go off the rails if I tell you who-"
"No. I want to smash whoever's face in for hurting Carla" Rob confirms as Michelle sighs in response; she knew this would happen when Rob eventually found out
"Is that really going to help?" Michelle cries exasperatedly "She doesn't need you banged up, all she'll want is your support"
"I promise I won't go off the rails" Rob sighs as Michelle close her eyes, the bile rising in her throat as the name floats around in her head, she really did feel Carla's pain
"Tina"
"What?" Rob splutters "Tina as in Tina who works here...Tina who Tracy hates...-"
"Yes Rob, how many Tina's do you know?" Michelle snaps before looking apologetic "But that's not the problem, you know what Carla's like when she's in a state she-"
"Drinks"
"Exactly and she can't drink"
"What? Why? It's not like she has to be mindful of that Alchy?" Rob laughs hysterically before his face falls; his sister was pregnant "Oh god, she's not…"
"Oh yes, she is… we need to find her before she does something stupid" Michelle sighs grabbing her phone and ringing Carla's mobile but receiving no answer "Right you go and look around the local hotel's I'm going to the flat to check to see if her passport's there"
"Actually...I'll go to the flat and see if her passports there" Rob smiles as Michelle sighs in response "You probably know what hotels to look in"
"Ok, fine" Michelle starts "Just try not to beat Peter Barlow to death please, it's the last thing that Carla needs right now"
"Meet back here when we've exhausted all options?" Rob questions as Michelle nods grabbing her back as they both leave the pub on their hunt to find a distraught Carla...